IRVING, Texas - A primary goal in preseason - as much as polish and preparation for the games that count - is starters' health.
The Cowboys avoided serious injury to their first-team units in four exhibition games, though head coach Wade Phillips needs a wooden office table on which to superstitiously knock as the regular season approaches.
His most pressing injury issue, cruelly enough, is his 11-man (originally 12-man) draft class - the biggest beneficiaries of preseason reps and the framework of a team's depth, particularly on special teams, in the salary cap era.
"It hurts us," Phillips said.
Six picks have missed time with ailments of varying severity. Two of them (linebackers Brandon Williams and Stephen Hodge) are out for the season, and another (offensive lineman Robert Brewster) has only a slim chance to play in 2009.
Injuries have either obliterated or postponed several rookies' potential impact. While linebacker Victor Butler, tight end John Phillips and kicker David Buehler have stayed healthy and made progress, many of their draft classmates will have to wait their turn.
Here's a closer look at the group heading into Sunday's opener at Tampa Bay (subtracting defensive back DeAngelo Smith, who was waived and subsequently claimed by Cleveland over the weekend):
LB Jason Williams (third round): The Cowboys saved Williams' spot on the 53-man roster even though he'll miss another three-to-five weeks with the high ankle sprain he suffered Aug. 29 against San Francisco. His absence, coupled with Stephen Hodge's, leaves Bobby Carpenter as the only regular backup inside linebacker. Williams struggled with the transition inside early in training camp, but Phillips said "a light came on" the week before his injury. Williams appeared to be getting more instinctive at the position, and he'll be asked to help heavily on special teams upon his return.
OL Robert Brewster (third round): Brewster's torn pectoral muscle, suffered before training camp, could end his season. But the Cowboys chose not to place Brewster on the season-ending injured reserve list on the "outside chance" he can return later in the year. Brewster instead landed on Reserve Physically Unable to Perform (PUP), which will sideline him for at least the first six games. After that, he has a three-week window to begin practicing, and if he does, the Cowboys would have another three weeks to decide whether to place him on the active roster.
QB Stephen McGee (fourth round): Phillips doesn't have a timetable for McGee's sprained MCL, suffered Aug. 21 against Tennessee, but the rookie quarterback has begun some light running and throwing. The Cowboys chose to not to place McGee on injured reserve. He's probably another week or two away from returning to practice, but once he's healthy he'll run the scout-team offense and be the team's inactive third quarterback on game day. Rookie free-agent Rudy Carpenter will take McGee's practice reps in the meantime.
LB Brandon Williams (fourth round): Williams tore his anterior cruciate ligament Aug. 21 against Tennessee and has been placed on injured reserve. The Cowboys expected him to provide pass rush in their defensive sub-packages as well as play on most of the special teams units.
LB Victor Butler (fourth round): Butler has moved from the weak side to Brandon Williams' strong-side spot behind Anthony Spencer - a position that requires more run support. Like Williams, Butler has been transitioning from college defensive end to outside linebacker. He'll compete for reps as a third-down pass rusher and help on special teams.
S Mike Hamlin (fifth round): Another special-teamer down. Hamlin should miss at least another month with a fractured radius bone in his right arm. He remains on the 53-man roster, however, and should work on special teams units when he gets back. The Cowboys also hope he can grow into a regular contributor on defense.
K David Buehler (fifth round): Buehler's leg has been as strong as advertised, and he's athletic (and willing) enough to help on the coverage units. "He's been a real pleasant surprise from what he's been able to do," special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis said. Nick Folk will continue to handle field goals and extra points.
LB Stephen Hodge (sixth round): Hodge is scheduled for another round of surgery on his bothersome knee, which kept him in and out of practice since the OTAs. He missed three of four preseason games and ultimately was placed on injured reserve. The Cowboys were counting on him as a core special-teamer.
TE John Phillips (sixth round): The steady Phillips has replaced the departed Tony Curtis as the Cowboys' third tight end behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett. "We need three tight ends on those two-tight end sets, so it's a real plus," team owner Jerry Jones said. "It's a little subtle thing, Phillips' development and ability to play right now."
CB Mike Mickens (seventh round): The Cowboys opted to keep only four cornerbacks (Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick and corner/safety Alan Ball) on the 53-man roster, but Mickens cleared waivers and was signed to the practice squad. He could be an option if depth becomes a bigger issue.
CB Manuel Johnson (seventh round): Johnson got caught in a numbers crunch at wide receiver and landed on the practice squad. The Cowboys knew all along they would keep four veterans - Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin - and rookie free-agent Kevin Ogletree emerged from relative obscurity to earn the fifth and final spot.
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